Former pub manager Eddie Gormley, aged 74

The family of a well-known former pub manager in Dundee who has died suddenly have said they will remember him as a “lovely, charming man who was generous to a fault”.

Great-grandad Eddie Gormley, 74, was found by Helen, his wife of 49 years, at the couple’s home in Linlathen.

Helen, 66, said her husband’s death had come as a huge shock and his passing would leave an enormous hole in her life.

She said: “The night before, he had been studying the form of the horses for putting his bet on the next day.”

The couple married on the day England won the World Cup, July 30 1966.

They worked together for more than two decades of their married life in two city centre bars – the Club Bar and the Star and Garter.

Mr Gormley, who was affectionately known by his customers as Fast Eddie, worked at the Strath Bar before moving to the Star and Garter where he became manager in the 1980s.

He also worked at the Club Bar for more than 20 years. Helen still works there, having been manager for more than 30 years.

Helen said she met Eddie when she was 10 and the pair were growing up in Linlathen.

She said: “Our wedding day was the same day as the World Cup final in 1966 and all the men, Eddie included, disappeared to watch the match on a television. I forgave him – although I never let him forget it.”

Helen said Eddie retired when he was 65, but still went along to the Club Bar most days. She added: “He also went to play snooker with his pals at the Old Mill in Guthrie Street every Tuesday.”

Mr Gormley’s son, Ryan, 51, said: “Dad was a true gentleman, a proper charmer and generous to a fault. He was also a snappy dresser who always wore a collar and tie. You’d never see him in jeans.”

Granddaughter Paige, 27, mum to greatgrandson Reuben, said she loved to go for a drink with her grandad.

She said: “He laughed that I wasn’t to call him grandad when I was with my mates.”

Mr Gormley was part of St David’s Masonic Lodge and ran a Sunday football team when he worked with CJ Lang.

Mr Gormley was 74.